South Carolina Rep. Garry Smith recently visited the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition in Greenville to learn more about the fatherhood program and the services it provides to people living in his district, which covers Greenville County. The Upstate Fatherhood Coalition is a program of the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, whose mission is based on the conviction that children thrive when an engaged, responsible father is active in their lives.

During the visit, Smith learned about the statewide fatherhood initiative and the role of the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families in facilitating these efforts. Smith also learned about the center’s strong public and private partnerships with agencies such as the South Carolina Department of Social Services and how these partnerships are a great benefit to children and families. Another topic discussed during the visit was the Jobs Not Jail program, which enrolls low-income fathers to help them secure employment and pay child support as an alternative to facing jail time, saving taxpayers millions in incarceration costs each year.

Smith also toured the facility, met with Upstate Fatherhood Coalition Executive Director Kelly Walker along with his staff and board members. He also heard personal testimonies from two local fathers who are participants in the program.

The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families is a Ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.

PICTURED: SCCFF Director of Community Development and Programming Richard Barr, SCCFF President Patricia Littlejohn and Upstate Father Fatherhood Coalition Executive Director Kelly Walker host Rep. Garry Smith (center) during a tour of the UFC Greenville office.

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From its Cleveland headquarters, the Sisters of Charity Health System provides oversight, leadership and strategic direction to more than 20 organizations responding to community needs in Canton and Cleveland, Ohio, and South Carolina.